Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word or words. Phrasal verbs are made of: verb + adverb Phrasal verbs can be:

intransitive (no direct object) transitive (direct object)

Here are some examples of phrasal verbs:

phrasal verbs

meaning

examples direct object

intransitive phrasal verbs

get up break down put off

rise from bed cease to function postpone

I don't li e to get up. !e was late because his car broke down. "e will have to put off #he$ turned down the meeting. m$ offer.

transitive phrasal verbs

turn down refuse

Separable Phrasal Verbs

"hen phrasal verbs are transitive (that is% the$ have a direct object)% we can usuall$ separate the two parts. &or e'ample% (turn down( is a separable phrasal verb. "e can sa$: (turn down m$ offer( or (turn m$ offer down(. )oo at this table: transitive phrasal verbs are #he$ #he$ turned turned m$ offer down down. m$ offer.

separable

!owever% if the direct object is a pronoun% we have no choice. "e must separate the phrasal verb and insert the pronoun between the two parts. )oo at this e'ample with the separable phrasal verb (switch on(: direct object pronouns must go between the two parts of transitive phrasal verbs *ohn *ohn *ohn *ohn switched switched switched switched the radio it on on. on. on it. #his is not possible. the radio. #hese are all possible.

+eparable or inseparable phrasal verbs, +ome dictionaries tell $ou when phrasal verbs are separable. If a dictionar$ writes (loo (something) up(% $ou now that the phrasal verb (loo up( is separable% and $ou can sa$ (loo something up( and (loo up something(. It's a good idea to write (something-somebod$( as appropriate in $our vocabular$ boo when $ou learn a new phrasal verb% li e this:

get up break down put something-somebod$ off turn sthg-sb$ down

#his tells $ou whether the verb needs a direct object (and where to put it).

Prepositional Verbs
Prepositional verbs are a group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word or words. Prepositional verbs are made of: verb + preposition .ecause a preposition alwa$s has an object% all prepositional verbs have direct objects. !ere are some e'amples of prepositional verbs: prepositional verbs meaning examples direct object have faith in the e'istence of ta e care of discuss await I believe in !e is looking after 0id $ou talk about *ohn is waiting for /od. the dog. me, 1ar$.

believe in look after talk about wait for

Prepositional verbs cannot be separated. #hat means that we cannot put the direct object between the two parts. &or e'ample% we must sa$ (loo after the bab$(. "e cannot sa$ (loo the bab$ after(: prepositional verbs are "ho is looking after the bab$, "ho is looking the bab$ after, #his is possible. #his is not possible.

inseparable

It is a good idea to write (something-somebod$( in $our vocabular$ boo when $ou learn a new prepositional verb% li e this: believe in something-somebod$

look after sthg-sb$

#his reminds $ou that this verb needs a direct object (and where to put it).

Phrasal-prepositional Verbs
Phrasal-prepositional verbs are a small group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word or words. Phrasal-prepositional verbs are made of: verb + adverb + preposition )oo at these e'amples of phrasal-prepositional verbs: phrasalprepositional verbs meaning examples direct object have a friendl$ relationship with tolerate anticipate with pleasure use up% e'haust !e doesn't get on with I won't put up with I look forward to "e have run out of his wife. $our attitude. seeing $ou. eggs.

get on with put up with look forward to run out of

.ecause phrasal-prepositional verbs end with a preposition% there is alwa$s a direct object. 2nd% li e prepositional verbs% phrasal-prepositional verbs cannot be separated. )oo at these e'amples: phrasal-prepositional verbs are "e "e ran out of ran out of fuel. it.

inseparable
It is a good idea to write (something-somebod$( in $our vocabular$ boo when $ou learn a new phrasal-prepositional verb% li e this: get on with somebod$ put up with sthg-sb$

run out of something

#his reminds $ou that this verb needs a direct object (and where to put it).

Phrasal Verbs List #his list shows about 344 common phrasal
verbs% with meanings and e'amples. 5nl$ the most usual meanings are given. +ome phrasal verbs ma$ have additional meanings.
Verb ask someone out ask around Meaning invite on a date as man$ people the same 6uestion e6ual reverse Example .rian asked *ud$ out to dinner and a movie. I asked around but nobod$ has seen m$ wallet.

add up to something back something up

7our purchases add up to 8349.:3. 7ou'll have to back up $our car so that I can get out.

back someone up

support

1$ wife backed me up over m$ decision to 6uit m$ job. #he racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence. "e have to blow 94 balloons up for the part$. 5ur car broke down at the side of the highwa$ in the snowstorm. #he woman broke down when the police told her that her son had died. 5ur teacher broke the final project down into three separate parts. +omebod$ broke in last night and stole our stereo. #he firemen had to break into the room to rescue the children. I need to break these shoes in before we run ne't wee . #he #; station broke in to report the news of the president's death. 1$ bo$friend and I broke up before I moved to 2merica. #he ids just broke up as soon as the clown started tal ing.

blow up

e'plode

blow something up break down

add air stop functioning (vehicle% machine) get upset

break down

break something down

divide into smaller parts

break in

force entr$ to a building

break into something

enter forcibl$

break something in

wear something a few times so that it doesn't loo -feel new interrupt

break in

break up

end a relationship

break up

start laughing (informal)

break out

escape

#he prisoners broke out of jail when the guards weren't loo ing. I broke out in a rash after our camping trip. #his sad music is bringing me down. 1$ grandparents brought me up after m$ parents died. 1$ mother wal s out of the room when m$ father brings up sports. !e dran so much that he brought his dinner up in the toilet. "e called around but we weren't able to find the car part we needed. I called the compan$ back but the offices were closed for the wee end. *ason called the wedding off because he wasn't in love with his fianc<. #he professor called on me for 6uestion =. "e called on $ou last night but $ou weren't home. /ive me $our phone number and I will call $ou up when we are in town. 7ou are still mad. 7ou need to calm down before $ou drive the car. I don't care for his behaviour.

break out in something bring someone down bring someone up

develop a s in condition ma e unhapp$ raise a child

bring something up

start tal ing about a subject

bring something up

vomit

call around

phone man$ different places-people return a phone call

call someone back

call something off

cancel

call on someone call on someone

as for an answer or opinion visit someone

call someone up

phone

calm down

rela' after being angr$

not care for someone/something catch up

not li e (formal)

get to the same point as someone else arrive and register at a hotel or airport leave a hotel

7ou'll have to run faster than that if $ou want to catch up with 1art$. "e will get the hotel e$s when we check in.

check in

check out

7ou have to check out of the hotel before ==:44 21. #he compan$ checks out all new emplo$ees.

heck someone/something out check out someone/something cheer up

loo at carefull$% investigate

loo at (informal)

heck out the cra>$ hair on that gu$?

become happier

+he cheered up when she heard the good news.

cheer someone up chip in

ma e happier help

I brought $ou some flowers to cheer $ou up. If ever$one chips in we can get the itchen painted b$ noon. Please clean up $our bedroom before $ou go outside. I came across these old photos when I was tid$ing the closet. #he top and bottom come apart if $ou pull hard enough. 1$ nephew came down with chic en po' this wee end. #he woman came forward with her husband's finger prints. #he art of origami comes from 2sia. I am counting on $ou to ma e dinner while I am out. Please cross out $our old address and write $our new one.

clean something up

tid$% clean

come across something

find une'pectedl$

come apart

separate

come down with something come forward

become sic

volunteer for a tas or to give evidence originate in rel$ on

come from somewhere count on someone/something cross something out

draw a line through

cut back on something

consume less

1$ doctor wants me to cut back onsweets and fatt$ foods. "e had to cut the old tree in our $ard down after the storm. 7our father cut in while I was dancing with $our uncle. #he bus driver got angr$ when that car cut in.

cut something down

ma e something fall to the ground interrupt

cut in

cut in

pull in too closel$ in front of another vehicle start operating (of an engine or electrical device) remove with something sharp

cut in

#he air conditioner cuts in when the temperature gets to 33@A. #he doctors cut off his leg because it was severel$ injured. #he phone compan$ cut off our phone because we didn't pa$ the bill. 1$ grandparents cut m$ father off when he remarried. I cut this ad out of the newspaper.

cut something off

cut something off

stop providing

cut someone off

ta e out of a will

cut something out

remove part of something (usuall$ with scissors and paper)

!o someone/something over do something over

beat up% ransac (.r.B.% informal)

!e's luc $ to be alive. !is shop was done over b$ a street gang. 1$ teacher wants me to do m$ essa$ over because she doesn't li e m$ topic. It's time to do awa" with all of these old ta' records. !o $our coat up before $ou go outside. It's snowing? It's a fanc$ restaurant so we have to dress up.

do again (C.2mer.)

do awa" with something

discard

do something up

fasten% close

dress up

wear nice clothing

drop back

move bac in a position-group

2ndrea dropped back to third place when she fell off her bi e. I might drop in#b"#over for tea sometime this wee . I have to drop m$ sister off at wor before I come over.

drop in#b"#over

come without an appointment

!rop someone/something off

ta e someone-something somewhere and leave them-it there 6uit a class% school etc

drop out

I dropped out of +cience because it was too difficult. I don't feel li e coo ing tonight. )et's eat out. "e ended up renting a movie instead of going to the theatre. 1$ new dress fell apart in the washing machine. #he picture that $ou hung up last night fell down this morning. #he mone$ must have fallen out of m$ poc et. !is hair started to fall out when he was onl$ :9.

eat out end up

eat at a restaurant eventuall$ reach-do-decide

fall apart fall down

brea into pieces fall to the ground

fall out fall out

separate from an interior (of hair% teeth) become loose and unattached understand% find the answer

figure something out

I need to figure out how to fit the piano and the boo shelf in this room. Please fill in the form with $our name% address% and phone number. #he form must be filled out in capital letters.

fill something in

to write information in blan s (.r.B.) to write information in blan s (C.2mer.) fill to the top discover

fill something out

fill something up find out

I alwa$s fill the water jug up when it is empt$. "e don't now where he lives. !ow can we find out,

find something out

discover

"e tried to eep the time of the part$ a secret% but +amantha found it out. I tried to get m$ point across#over to the judge but she wouldn't listen. I was surprised how well m$ new girlfriend and m$ sister got along#on. 1$ grandfather can get around fine in his new wheelchair. "e wor ed so hard this $ear that we had to get awa" for a wee . *ason alwa$s gets awa" with cheating in his maths tests. "e got back from our vacation last wee . )i> finall$ got her +cience notes back from m$ room-mate. 1$ sister got back at me for stealing her shoes. +he stole m$ favourite hat. I finall$ got back into m$ novel and finished it.

get something across#over get along#on

communicate% ma e understandable li e each other

get around

have mobilit$

get awa"

go on a vacation

get awa" with something

do without being noticed or punished return receive something $ou had before retaliate% ta e revenge

get back get something back

get back at someone

get back into something

become interested in something again step onto a vehicle

get on something

"e're going to free>e out here if $ou don't let us get on the bus. I just got over the flu and now m$ sister has it.

get over something

recover from an illness% loss% difficult$ overcome a problem

get over something

#he compan$ will have to close if it can't get over the new regulations. I don't now when I am going to get round to writing the than $ou cards. )et's get together for a ..D this wee end. I got up earl$ toda$ to stud$ for m$ e'am. 7ou should get up and give the elderl$ man $our seat. !is wife gave him awa" to the police.

get round to something

finall$ find time to do (C.2mer.: get around to something) meet (usuall$ for social reasons) get out of bed stand

get together get up get up

give someone awa"

reveal hidden information about someone ta e the bride to the altar ruin a secret

give someone awa" give something awa"

1$ father gave me awa" at m$ wedding. 1$ little sister gave the surprise part$ awa" b$ accident.

give something awa"

give something to someone for free return a borrowed item

#he librar$ was giving awa" old boo s on &rida$.

give something back

I have to give these s ates back to &ran> before his hoc e$ game. 1$ bo$friend didn't want to go to the ballet% but he finall$ gave in. #he$ were giving out free perfume samples at the department store. I am giving up smo ing as of *anuar$ =st. 1$ maths homewor was too difficult so I gave up. 1$ brother tried to go after the thief in his car. I went after m$ dream and now I am a published writer. "e are going against the best soccer team in the cit$ tonight. Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold. I have to go back home and get m$ lunch. "e're going out for dinner tonight.

give in

reluctantl$ stop fighting or arguing give to man$ people (usuall$ at no cost) 6uit a habit stop tr$ing

give something out

give something up give up

go after someone go after something

follow someone tr$ to achieve something

go against someone

compete% oppose

go ahead

start% proceed

go back go out

return to a place leave home to go on a social event date

go out with someone

*esse has been going out with )u e since the$ met last winter. Please go over $our answers before $ou submit $our test. I haven't seen #ina for a long time. I thin I'll go over for an hour or two. "hen I was $oung% we went without winter boots. 1$ best friend and I grew apart after she changed schools. 1$ roses grew back this summer. "hen *ac grows up he wants to be a fireman. Bli>abeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has grown out of her old ones. #his bi e is too big for him now% but he

go over something

review

go over

visit someone nearb$

go without something

suffer lac or deprivation

grow apart

stop being friends over time

grow back grow up grow out of something

regrow become an adult get too big for

grow into something

grow big enough to fit

should grow into it b$ ne't $ear. hand something down give something used to someone else submit to distribute to a group of people give (usuall$ unwillingl$) I handed m$ old comic boo s down to m$ little cousin. I have to hand in m$ essa$ b$ &rida$. "e will hand out the invitations at the door. #he police as ed the man to hand over his wallet and his weapons. $ang in there. I'm sure $ou'll find a job ver$ soon. $ang on while I grab m$ coat and shoes? Instead of going to the part$ we are just going to hang out at m$ place. !e didn't sa$ goodb$e before he hung up. I had to hold m$ dog back because there was a cat in the par .

hand something in hand something out hand something over

hang in

sta$ positive (C.2mer.% informal)

hang on hang out

wait a short time (informal) spend time rela'ing (informal)

hang up $old someone/something back

end a phone call prevent from doing-going

hold something back

hide an emotion

*amie held back his tears at his grandfather's funeral. Please hold on while I transfer $ou to the +ales 0epartment. $old onto $our hat because it's ver$ wind$ outside. 2 man in a blac mas held the ban up this morning. %eep on stirring until the li6uid comes to a boil. "e kept our relationship from our parents for two $ears. #r$ to keep the wet dog out of the living room.

hold on

wait a short time

hold onto someone/something $old someone/something p keep on doing something keep something from someone %eep someone/something out keep something up

hold firml$ using $our hands or arms rob

continue doing not tell

stop from entering

continue at the same rate

If $ou keep those results up $ou will get into a great college. I need $ou to be on time. 0on't let me down this time. Aan $ou let the cat in before $ou go to school, I have to look after m$ sic grandmother.

let someone down

fail to support or help% disappoint

let someone in look after someone/something

allow to enter ta e care of

look down on someone

thin less of% consider inferior

Bver since we stole that chocolate bar $our dad has looked down on me. I'm looking for a red dress for the wedding.

look for someone/something look forward to something look into something

tr$ to find

be e'cited about the future

I'm looking forward to the Ahristmas brea .

investigate

"e are going to look into the price of snowboards toda$. )oo out? #hat car's going to hit $ou?

look out

be careful% vigilant% and ta e notice be especiall$ vigilant for

look out for someone/something look something over

0on't forget to look out for sna es on the hi ing trail. Aan $ou look over m$ essa$ for spelling mista es, "e can look her phone number up on the Internet. 1$ little sister has alwa$s looked up to me. *osie made up a stor$ about wh$ we were late. "e were angr$ last night% but we made up at brea fast. 1$ sisters made me up for m$ graduation part$. I mixed up the twins' names again? !is uncle passed awa" last night after a long illness. It was so hot in the church that an elderl$ lad$ passed out. #he professor passed the te'tboo s out before class. I passed up the job because I am afraid of change. #han s for bu$ing m$ tic et. I'll pa" $ou back on &rida$. #hat bull$ will pa" for being mean to m$ little brother. I picked out three sweaters for $ou to tr$ on. I'll point m$ bo$friend out when he runs b$.

chec % e'amine

look something up

search and find information in a reference boo or database have a lot of respect for invent% lie about something forgive each other

look up to someone make something up make up

make someone up mix something up pass awa"

appl$ cosmetics to confuse two or more things die

pass out

faint

pass something out

give the same thing to man$ people decline (usuall$ something good)

pass something up

pa" someone back

return owed mone$

pa" for something

be punished for doing something bad choose indicate with $our finger

pick something out Point someone/something

out put something down put what $ou are holding on a surface or floor insult% ma e someone feel stupid 7ou can put the groceries down on the itchen counter. #he students put the substitute teacher down because his pants were too short. "e are putting off our trip until *anuar$ because of the hurricane. #he neighbours put the fire out before the firemen arrived. I have to put the crib together before the bab$ arrives. I don't thin I can put up with three small children in the car. 0on't forget to put on $our new earrings for the part$. I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.

put someone down

put something off

postpone

put something out

e'tinguish

put something together

assemble

put up with someone/something put something on

tolerate

put clothing-accessories on $our bod$ meet une'pectedl$

run into someone/something run over someone/something run over#through something run awa"

drive a vehicle over a person or thing rehearse% review

I accidentall$ ran over $our bic$cle in the drivewa$. )et's run over#through these lines one more time before the show. #he child ran awa" from home and has been missing for three da$s. "e ran out of shampoo so I had to wash m$ hair with soap. 1$ letter got sent back to me because I used the wrong stamp. 5ur boss set a meeting up with the president of the compan$. #he police set up the car thief b$ using a hidden camera. I want to shop around a little before I decide on these boots. !e alwa$s shows off on his s ateboard

leave une'pectedl$% escape

run out

have none left

send something back

return (usuall$ b$ mail)

set something up

arrange% organi>e

set someone up

tric % trap

shop around

compare prices

show off

act e'tra special for people watching (usuall$ boastfull$) sta$ somewhere for the night (informal)

sleep over

7ou should sleep over tonight if the weather is too bad to drive home.

sort something out

organi>e% resolve a problem

"e need to sort the bills out before the first of the month. 7ou will lose weight if $ou stick to the diet.

stick to something

continue doing something% limit $ourself to one particular thing stop the energ$ flow% turn off start the energ$ flow% turn on

switch something off switch something on

#he light's too bright. Aould $ou switch it off. "e heard the news as soon as we switched on the car radio. I take after m$ mother. "e are both impatient. !e took the car bra es apart and found the problem. I have to take our new #; back because it doesn't wor . 1$ plane takes off in five minutes. &ake off $our soc s and shoes and come in the la e? Aan $ou take the garbage out to the street for me, 1$ grandparents took us out for dinner and a movie. I tore up m$ e'-bo$friend's letters and gave them bac to him. "hen I think back on m$ $outh% I wish I had studied harder. I'll have to think this job offer over before I ma e m$ final decision. "e threw our old furniture awa" when we won the lotter$. Please turn the #; down while the guests are here. I turned the job down because I don't want to move. 7our mother wants $ou to turn the #; off and come for dinner. It's too dar in here. )et's turn some lights on. Aan $ou turn the music up, #his is m$ favourite song.

take after someone take something apart

resemble a famil$ member purposel$ brea into pieces

take something back

return an item

take off take something off

start to fl$ remove something (usuall$ clothing) remove from a place or thing

take something out

take someone out

pa$ for someone to go somewhere with $ou rip into pieces

tear something up

think back

remember (often + to% sometimes + on) consider

think something over

throw something awa"

dispose of

turn something down

decrease the volume or strength (heat% light etc) refuse

turn something down

turn something off

stop the energ$ flow% switch off

turn something on turn something up

start the energ$% switch on increase the volume or strength (heat% light etc)

turn up

appear suddenl$

5ur cat turned up after we put posters up all over the neighbourhood.

tr" something on

+ample clothing

I'm going to tr" these jeans on% but I don't thin the$ will fit. I am going to tr" this new brand of detergent out. #he ids used all of the toothpaste up so we need to bu$ some more. "e have to wake up earl$ for wor on 1onda$. 7ou can warm $our feet up in front of the fireplace. I alwa$s warm up b$ doing sit-ups before I go for a run. 1ost of m$ ma e-up wore off before I got to the part$. I work out at the g$m three times a wee . 5ur plan worked out fine. "e have to work out the total cost before we bu$ the house.

tr" something out

test

use something up

finish the suppl$

wake up 'arm someone/something up warm up

stop sleeping increase the temperature

prepare bod$ for e'ercise

wear off

fade awa$

work out work out work something out

e'ercise be successful ma e a calculation

.r.B.: .ritish BnglishE C.2mer.: Corth 2merican